Backlight in the keyboard with your own hands. DIY keyboard backlight

08.07.2023

Keyboard backlighting with LED strip is one of the ways to improve the ergonomics of your workplace, which does not require large financial investments and time. This backlight automatically turns on when power is supplied to the computer and perfectly illuminates all keys. With the ability to handle a soldering iron, the LED backlight for the keyboard is assembled within a few hours, and the total cost of the design does not exceed 150 rubles.

Briefly about the light source of homemade backlight

The main element of the design is the LED strip, which should provide a sufficient level of illumination and at the same time not give glare when reflected from the buttons. Considering that the distance between the tabletop and the pull-out shelf does not exceed 20 cm, a low-power tape based on white LEDs in silicone is quite suitable. Its length should roughly correspond to the length of the keyboard.

The silicone layer of the LED strip protects the LEDs when touched by hands, and also dims and diffuses the light a little.

The current consumption of an LED strip 0.5 meters long does not exceed 0.2 A, which is disproportionately small compared to the capabilities computer block power supply via the +12 V bus. You can make the keyboard backlight on a computer of any year of manufacture, since a half-meter segment with LEDs consumes no more than 2.5 watts.

What will be required?

To independently implement the idea of keyboard backlighting, we need the following details:

LED strip type SMD 3528-60 pcs. IP65 0.5 meters long;
stranded copper wire type ShVVP 2x0.5 mm 2 - 2 m;
adapter with power connectors 4 con. MOLEX to SATA
nylon ties 3x100 mm - 5 pcs.;
heat shrink tubes with a diameter of 3 mm and 6 mm;
hot glue.

And also the tool:

soldering iron with tin and rosin;
wire cutters;
screwdriver.

Preparing the system unit

First, we open the system unit (SB) and in the wiring harness coming out of the power supply, we find a free and, preferably, the longest wire with a MOLEX 4-pin connector. They are usually powered by an old-style CD-ROM or hard drive. Its length should be enough to reach the bottom of the back cover of the SB, where the video card is usually connected. Then we act in the following order:

Preparing the mating connector

To connect the backlight from the LED strip for the keyboard, you will need an adapter from MOLEX to SATA, which is sold in any computer store.
We only need the connector shown on the left (with pins). Therefore, we bite the wires in the middle.
To connect the LED strip, you will need a yellow wire (+12 V) and one black (common). They need to be cleaned and tinned. The remaining red and black wires can be removed or insulated, as shown in the photo, they may come in handy in the future.

By the way, there is a voltage of +5 V on the red wire, which is often used by radio amateurs to power various homemade products assembled on separate LEDs.

Then we prepare the connecting wires: we clean and tin on both sides.
On the one hand, solder the connector: yellow with brown, blue with black.

On the other hand, we solder the wire to the LED strip: brown to +12 V, blue to -12 V. As a result, the backlight for the keyboard assembled by oneself takes on the following form.

Mounting and connecting the keyboard backlight

The most crucial moment has come - you need to carefully fix the assembled structure. But first you need to protect and strengthen the soldering point of the wire with the tape. To do this, a few drops of heated hot melt adhesive are applied to the contact pads, as if extending the silicone coating.

If desired, a heat shrink tube can be additionally put on the place of soldering.

We remove the protective film from the LED strip and glue it from below to the edge of the table top. To fix the wire, you can use glue "Moment", "liquid nails" or double-sided tape. We connect the backlight to the computer and turn it on. The keyboard backlight is ready.
In this case, a warm white LED strip was used, so the backlight has a yellowish tint. Warm light is less irritating to the eyes, which is especially important when working at a computer for a long time.

The design can be improved by installing a button or a microswitch. This will turn the keyboard backlight on and off when the computer is turned on.

Why do you need a backlit keyboard?

A backlit computer keyboard is essential for people working at night. Night owls often wonder how to achieve keyboard illumination if touch typing has not been mastered. Also, for some operations, there is a need to look at the keys, which is difficult in low-quality lighting.

Additional illumination is necessary for:

IT employees;
gamers;
night shift dispatchers;
technical personnel testing equipment on site with a keyboard connected to the instrument.

Worktop lighting is not only a beautiful fantasy for aesthetic pleasure. The need to see the right keys in the complete or partial absence of light requires a similar measure. Taking care of the correct operation can save time, give an acceptable option for interacting with devices.

In some cases, the desired keyboard option is difficult to obtain, or not possible at all. Taking a variant similar in configuration, it is enough to simply make illuminated keys in it. For such a procedure, you will need some soldering skills and knowledge of the elementary principles of radio electronics.

Required Tools

Reviews of keyboards with backlit keys demonstrates various options backlit keyboards:

standard rectangular;
gaming;
laptop keyboard;
wireless counterparts.

To repeat a similar experience, highlighting the standard options without additional special effects, certain tools and materials are needed:

LED strip (up to 1 m);
soldering iron;
batteries (in the case of a built-in backlight recharge option);
network cable (about 3 m);
adapter 2-4-pin to 1-6-pin;
Screwdriver Set;
insulating tape;
switch;
stationery knife;
glue (for some options with changing the keypad);
tester for the final check of the performance of all elements of the circuit.

Almost all the required materials at hand can be purchased at any specialized store. This also applies to LED strips for the Multi-color lighting system.

Backlight power supply

Any illumination option requires a power source. This task remains the number one solution for everyone who wants to create additional special effects on the work surface. It is worth considering the resource consumption of the diode element, since most of the recommendations come down to introducing a connection to the computer's power supply.

A factory-made backlit gaming keyboard for a computer is built on this principle. Since all elements are already included, they directly take a resource on the internal elements of the computer. This process requires a lot of resources.

Masters of electronics suggest making a separate output for connecting a system filter to the socket outlet, or embed an additional power supply to unload the main one. There is some truth in this, since excessive energy consumption wears out your computer.

Benefits of using diode tape

Backlit mechanical keyboards are all built on the principle of using an LED canvas. This approach was preceded by multiple not entirely successful experiments. The choice of diodes was based on the following requirements:

compact arrangement inside the keyboard box;
light weight;
ease of installation;
resource consumption;
convenience when replacing a worn element;
requirements for the brightness of the light source;
resistance to multiple mechanical damage;
the ability to add additional colors.

The last point is important for the built-in Multi-color system. Gaming keyboards or laptop panels require contrast backlighting. This is due to the requirements of the orientation of the gamer or tester in the process. Areas painted in different light colors allow you to quickly orient yourself and prevent confusion. In addition, LEDs interact harmlessly with computer or laptop systems.

Is any keyboard suitable for transformation?

Any volume keyboard can be suitable for transformation. Backlit gaming keyboards of various configurations all have a certain height. Illumination, not built on the principle of using an LED, is possible only in the factory. Therefore, for a pilot project, it is necessary to take a device of a certain height.

Experienced masters of electronics for the first experiments on installing a light element are recommended to practice on the mechanical keyboards of the following companies:

Asus;
Genius;
A4tech;
Gmej;

These keyboards have sufficient height and simplicity of design. They have a certain margin of safety, since they are designed for the average user.

They can work out a lot of different tricks, including the complete replacement of the key zone with a similar version with transparent inserts. In addition, when compiling several options into one for decorative effects, their standard configuration allows such manipulations.

The backlit wireless keyboard has its own specifics associated with the signaling element. During the addition of such an option to the LED component, it is necessary to perform the following manipulations:

make accurate measurements of all keyboard parameters;
distribute on the diagram all the mounting points of the LED strip at a sufficient distance from the impulse supply boards;
choose a reliable place to mount the battery;
decide how the backlight will turn off / on;
make some changes in the case to display the button.

The main objective of this process is to install the tape without damaging the main functions of the keyboard. When dismantling the keypad, you need to remember the main rule that applies to all other keyboard options:

If the rubber pads are peeled off, they cannot be reinstalled correctly. There is an additional option of fastening to a transparent backing sheet, however, in some sensitive models, this will lead to a complete lack of key response when pressed.

Where can I get LED strip?

To solve the question of how to turn on the backlight of the keyboard, you must have an LED canvas. The standard version of the tape is sold in all hardware stores and markets. If the project development conditions for installing the backlight require any special properties or requirements, analogues can be found through Internet sources.

The standard tape consists of:

elastic polymer tape;
a series of series-connected diodes;
outlet points of power connection elements;
separation zone marked with special markings.

In the ribbon options for the Multi-color system, it has some differences. Diode pairs of different colors are connected in parallel at some distance opposite each other. Otherwise, all soldering (connection) points for twisted pair wires have a standard output.

According to the markings, one output point has 5 volts, the other 12 volts. This must be taken into account when connecting the lighting circuit to the connectors. In addition, when connecting the web through a charger, it must be borne in mind that the charger must be a transformer, not a pulse one.

Turn on keyboard backlight on Asus laptop

One of the frequently asked questions is how to turn on the keyboard backlight on an Asus laptop. Since models of this type have a very moderate glow. Some users are not satisfied with the quality of the luminous element. However, the machine itself suits in terms of its parameters and quality of work.

To install the LED element, you should immediately decide on the type of lighting. For novice electronics engineers, it is recommended to make the backlight along the contour. Since this will minimize the possible damage to performance during inept installation.

The rules for installing a diode tape require:

disconnect the battery;
remove all fasteners (some are recessed and hardly noticeable at first glance);
gently pull out the hard drive;
dismantle DVD ROM;
release the key panel from fasteners;
disconnect the display cable suitable for the motherboard;
disconnect the cable;
remove WLAN.

The LED strip itself must be installed along the free contour of the edge of the keyboard. When doing this, take into account the place of fastening of the battery or any accumulator that is flat enough to be mounted in the housing. One of the inconvenient moments of such a process will be the need for a similar dismantling when replacing the power element.

No. 1 The easiest way to highlight

Attach the tape to the bottom of the monitor or the inside of the keyboard drawer. This is one of the easiest options for how to make a backlight on the keyboard. This method is suitable for those who are not familiar with the principles of electronics. The installed bar has a simple connection type:

a twisted pair (similar to an Internet connection wire) is soldered to the output points of the internal connection of the diodes;
connection via a molex power connector to the hard drive;
the connector with yellow marking is rated for 12 volts;
the connector with the red marking is reserved for 5 volts.

Mounting can be done inside the tabletop, which gives bright illumination of the surface of the keys. In a similar variant, a switch can be attached under the surface of the table top, with which you can turn off the lighting during the daytime.

Switch fixture

In various systems, an important point is to turn off the backlight at a time when it is not needed. If we are talking about standard mechanical keyboards, then everything is simple. An additional groove is cut in the case, where the off button is displayed. Accuracy and aesthetics depends on your efforts.

In models with a more complex structure, this approach does not have its functional meaning. Since damage to the integrity of the case can affect the operation of the entire device. On laptops, this option is in principle not acceptable.

Backlit keyboards come from the factory with dedicated keys to turn off the backlight. Such keys have an additional LED on the case, which does not shine if the backlight is turned off. This principle can be applied to turn off a homemade keyboard backlight LED circuit on a laptop.

Keyboard key illumination principle

The light from the diodes reaches the surface in two ways:

through the gaps between the keys;
through the transparent parts of the keys.

You need to pay attention to this when working with the keyboard. LED lighting is considered the most optimal and correct. The light source gives an even beam, which has a clear scattering radius. This option is especially well observed if the symbols themselves glow.

On standard keyboards, all buttons are not transparent. You can correct the situation by sawing out the area of \u200b\u200bthe working surface and replacing it with a more progressive one. With such manipulations, it is worth considering the moment of coincidence of the location of the button area.

Also, a similar process requires accuracy when processing joints and fitting to the hole area. A new panel with keys is glued using specialized glue. It is necessary to carefully monitor the joints so that the structure is taken tightly. In any case, the light supplied by the diode is reflected from the hands, creating additional illumination of the panel.

№2 Installation of LEDs in the body of the keyboard 760

Before installing backlight tapes, you need to draw up a diagram of all exit points for additional elements. This applies to:

switch;
wires to the power supply;
console system connection for Multi-color.

Thus, the diagram must necessarily include:

exit points for additional wires;
the location of the rubber substrates of the keys;
points of internal fastening of all wiring, connections.

Since all the planks are connected in one knot, a thoughtful plan is needed for laying this part. So that its volume does not interfere with the installation of the panel with keys.

Do-it-yourself keyboard backlighting requires some accuracy. When mounting the tape, the first task is to dismantle the housing. All fasteners must be carefully disconnected, paying attention to the possible outputs of the various connectors.

In the case of a solid keypad, it makes sense to melt the holes for the output of the diodes with a soldering iron. For such a manipulation, it will be necessary to accurately calculate the location of the diode along the guide and the attachment points of the keys. It makes sense to attach the wire connected to the beginning of the circuit with adhesive tape to the main keyboard wires for greater ease of use.

A connector adapter is mounted on the wire for the power wires of the diode tape. We connect it directly to the power source. The button for turning off the backlight can be inserted into the exit point of the boards by breaking one bar.

Multi-color rainbow-colored keyboard backlight

The multi-color backlight system is based on the use of an RGB diode strip. For this option you will need:

keyboard with transparent key symbols;
RGB diode tape;
RGB controller designed for 12v;
power unit;
mode switch panel;
power connector;
signal receiving sensor.

Tapes are dissolved into the required segments. They are attached in a well-defined place under the keys. Connected in parallel, connected to the controller. Additionally, a remote control signal reception sensor is displayed. A groove is cut in the case to remove the power connector. When the final preparations are made, the body is assembled.

Many computer users have encountered such a problem when they need to work at the keyboard at night and at the same time they cannot turn on the light in the room. This usually occurs in those people who live with parents or have small children. Although most users prefer to work at a computer in the dark because of the more contrasting visibility of the monitor. In this case, the backlight of the keyboard in such cases is simply necessary.

The fact is that in the dark it is impossible to see the signs written on the buttons, so you have to put the keyboard closer to the monitor or turn on the light. Some manufacturers have taken into account this feature of the work and launched the release of special keyboards or laptops that have internal backlighting. In this case, the light comes out of the keyboard itself through the holes in the buttons, which are made in the form of letters. Such a keyboard backlight is very convenient, but has a significant drawback, since novice users do not have “blind” typing, which means they constantly look at the keys through which the light comes. This has a negative effect on vision and with prolonged use of such a device, one feels

Do-it-yourself keyboard backlighting solves both of these problems. The fact is that it is done by the user himself, which means that all the necessary points can be taken into account in the manufacturing process. In this case, there are two most common methods for manufacturing such a backlight.

The first method involves the presence of a special computer table, which is equipped with a special keyboard shelf located under the table top. Such a keyboard backlight is made from or a group of LEDs, which are fixed under the table top, above the shelf with the keyboard. Connect it through the power supply with the appropriate voltage.

The second method assumes that the keyboard backlight will be mounted directly on it. To do this, flexible hoses with wires are attached to it, at the end of which an LED is soldered. These hoses are bent in the form of street lamps, which should illuminate the place the user needs. The second end of the wires coming from the LED can be soldered in place of the keyboard light, which lights up when the “Scroll Lock” key is pressed. Thus, when you press this key, the lighting will be turned on, and when you press it again, it will turn off. This light is very comfortable and easy to control.

If you need backlighting for and at the same time do not want to lose mobility, then you can use the simplest method. It is necessary to purchase a small and low-power flashlight that has a clip-on mount. It can be mounted on a laptop in a user-friendly position and turned on if necessary. If finding a flashlight with a clip is problematic, then you can use an ordinary small flashlight and you can also use special USB-powered flashlights.

Often you have to use the computer in the evening and at night. I can’t turn on the light, because the household is sleeping. I used to use a backlit keyboard, but it fell into disrepair and I made a lamp out of it, but its light is not enough for normal illumination of the keyboard. Therefore, I had to invent a way to highlight myself.

After watching videos on the Internet about the backlight of the keyboard, at first I decided to do the same. But the fact is that there are no LEDs like in commercials (they are connected directly to the keyboard) in the nearest stores, and you don’t want to go to Moscow or a regional city because of them. I had to purchase a blue LED strip in the store, about 20 cm long.

This tape works from a voltage of only 12 volts. And for it to work from the network, you need a converter from 220 to 12V. Perhaps it is called something else (such as an adapter), I'm not strong in electricity and terms. So, there was no desire to pay extra money for this device. But I know for sure that the computer's power supply outputs voltages of 5v and 12v. The question immediately arose whether the tape would work from the power supply and what wires to use for this?

So the process itself:

1. I took two wires from a twisted pair cable, which remained from the old connection to the Internet provider.

2. Attached them to the power connector type " molex" (molex) 12V and GND (ground) 1st and 2nd connectors, just by stripping and twisting. Although it would be better to solder them. But this is up to you.

(so that the backlight does not burn all the time when the computer is turned on, a sconce switch was purchased).

3. Then, observing the polarity, I connected the wires through the switch with the LED strip. Those. +12V to red wire and ground to black.

4. To keep the switch, I had to stick it on double-sided tape. And next to it, a tape was naturally placed (it has its own Velcro).

5. Turned on the computer and voila!!!

Since the tape is under the table, its light does not interfere with the others.

The only negative is that it does not work when the computer is turned off. Although you can improve it by connecting the tape to a power supply that is lying around somewhere. To run it, you will need to short the 3rd and 4th pins. That is, black and green wires as in the figure - COM and PC-ON

The only question is, will the PSU burn out or not? Though in theory it shouldn't.

And one moment. The tape can be placed at an angle so that there is more illumination of the table. To do this, you need to place it under the table on two holders made in the form of a triangle, or on home-made corners by adjusting the angle of illumination by tilting them back and forth. But my version suits me just fine. Thank you for your attention)))).

Not everyone has excellent eyesight for working on a computer, but sometimes it is necessary to complete a task, write a message or just play at night. Well, if you live alone in the room and you can turn on the light at any time of the day, and if you interfere with your soul mate or a sleeping child with the light, you will have to improvise. Do-it-yourself keyboard backlighting will be a great way out of this situation.

I immediately want to give practical advice: “Do not connect to direct backlighting, since the diodes have a power of 3 volts, and the keyboard itself is 5 volts. When connected directly, the diodes will simply burn out due to the high voltage supply. It is necessary to connect only through a board, instead of a light bulb. For the experiment, Scroll Lock was taken, since they had not been used in any homemade product before.

We offer you to watch a video of a homemade keyboard backlight:

To illuminate the keyboard, we need:
- soldering iron;
- 2 LEDs for 3 volts;
- stranded wire of medium size;
- knife;
- screwdriver;
- medical syringe "2" with a needle;
- hard wire, about 20-30 centimeters;
- the keyboard itself.

You need to start the process by disassembling the keyboard, it took us to solder the light bulb that lights up when you press the Scroll Lock button. We should have a board the size of a matchbox in our hands.

Prepare in advance not an empty syringe, but with a special liquid (rosin) for soldering, but only rosin should be in liquid form.
Now let's start soldering the board. From the right edge of the board, we solder the wires that lead to the backlight bulbs.

After soldering, make sure the wires stay on the board and don't fall off. You can put the board in its original place, you need to stretch the wires and bring them out into the hole made in advance on the keyboard.

Pull one wire along the entire length of the keyboard in its upper part, output the second one where the board is fixed. You should end up with two holes (not counting the wire hole for the keyboard itself if it's wired), one hole on the top right side, the second hole on the top left side.

The last step is to insert a rigid wire that will serve as a frame for the backlight and, of course, solder 2 LEDs.
While the diodes are not soldered yet, you should have two wires sticking out of the keyboard, one between the Esc button and F1, the second on the opposite side. Two LEDs should be attached to them, one diode on each side.